American Chopper

**Cookie** · 23rd January 2007, 22:23

I enjoy watching the show but I can't explain why.

I don't appreciate the look of most of the bikes. Having your view of the road blocked by the tank is pretty stupid, but that's art/fashion for you.

The dialogue is wooden and you can often see the guy's eyes move as they read what was put in front of them to say.

Its tragic really, but its a bike show and I would probably watch it if it was narrated by Judy Bailey and the bikes were made out of plastercine.

**Motoerhead** · 24th January 2007, 20:13

Originally Posted by jimjim

is it just me but dont all those bikes look the same. lets face it there is only so much you can do with the chopper look

Hi have alook to my one, its a good housemade Kiwi build Bike

**JimO** · 24th January 2007, 20:35

Originally Posted by Motoerhead

Hi have alook to my one, its a good housemade Kiwi build Bike

\\

nooooooice

**Wired1** · 24th January 2007, 21:42

Originally Posted by Motoerhead

Hi have alook to my one, its a good housemade Kiwi build Bike

Is it registered? no indicators? what's the powerplant, looks Jap. Very nice.

**Motoerhead** · 25th January 2007, 20:24

Yep its registered (30.10.2006) powered by reconditioned and modified for the bike V750 Sabre, yes there are indicators have a propper look (there are tiny but for what you need them , everybody hears me coming)

**Pixie** · 25th January 2007, 20:56

Originally Posted by MidnightMike

Pretty much, some of them are alright though.

However its the only bike show on tv that i know of so i watch it.

It's like a train wreck - it's horrible,but you can't look away.

These "craftsmen" who are never without a hammer in their hands.I thought the story about a Harley tool kit consisting of a brick and a cold chisel was supposed to be a joke.

**scumdog** · 25th January 2007, 21:00

Originally Posted by Pixie

It's like a train wreck - it's horrible,but you can't look away.

These "craftsmen" who are never without a hammer in their hands.I thought the story about a Harley tool kit consisting of a brick and a cold chisel was supposed to be a joke.

So how many bikes HAVE you built??

**Pixie** · 25th January 2007, 21:11

Originally Posted by scumdog

So how many bikes HAVE you built??

1 feet forward design with a 400mm seat height, powered by a GS550 motor with double wishbone front suspension a la Hossack,(twenty years before BMW "invented" it )
Frame hand bent out of 1 inch tube.
Similar layout to a Gurney Alligator.
Any other questions?

**Wired1** · 25th January 2007, 21:41

I saw something like that up at Huntly during the early 80's - wasn't yours was it?

**Pixie** · 25th January 2007, 21:47

No,I never got mine legal.
There was an ersatz version around in the eighties,a standard framed CX500 with a roof and slightly lowered seat,that I saw at Puke a few times.

**scumdog** · 26th January 2007, 07:22

Originally Posted by Pixie

1 feet forward design with a 400mm seat height, powered by a GS550 motor with double wishbone front suspension a la Hossack,(twenty years before BMW "invented" it )
Frame hand bent out of 1 inch tube.
Similar layout to a Gurney Alligator.
Any other questions?

And no hammering, bending or re-jigging was done?

And it ain't a chopper however nice it may have looked!

(Oh, and those who thought looking into the rear of the petrol-tank while riding a chopper was not a good look should look at the abovementioned Gurney Alligator!!!)

**surfer** · 26th January 2007, 08:14

Originally Posted by Motoerhead

Hi have alook to my one, its a good housemade Kiwi build Bike

Awesome looking bike.

**vifferman** · 26th January 2007, 08:27

I like to watch "Murkn Chopper" for the 'engineering' and bike stuff, but WalrusDude really pisses me off, coming in and yodelling at WalrusWannabe(Junior, III). While I know he's doing it because (a) the producer told him to, because the show would be too slow otherwise, and (b) he has nothing better to do, and (c) he has "issues", it's blardy annoying.
I'm also amazed (well... perhaps not...) at how often they fuck things up.

**Motu** · 26th January 2007, 09:04

Bring back Srapheap! Now that's a show if you want to see fabrication,nutting out designs on the fly,changing and adapting.The first few seasons were the best and I have most on tape.These American shows are just soaps.But Mythbusters is damn good - same as Srapheap...they wing it and adapt,change the plan when it doesn't work.

And MOST important in Srapheap and Mythbusters - they have FUN!!! They laugh! How many belly laughs do you see on American Chopper or Monster Garage?

**MikeyG** · 26th January 2007, 09:40

Originally Posted by allun

Horses for courses.....

They all look the same to me, and seem to focus on looks and how much chrome can be layered on to every other part, then the engine is thrown in as an afterthought. Suspension? Ergonomics? Instruments? We don't need that shit.....

However, a cruiser/chopper enthusiast watching an equivalent show about custom sports bikes wouldn't be interested in the little technical details of the engine, suspension, etc - they would just lament the fact that after all the tech work was done, the "looks" got a few seconds consideration and then some stock fairings were thrown on.

I can appreciate the art and the skills on display, but as someone said it's more a rolling piece of art than a functional motorcycle.

Be very interesting now that i think about it if there was a custom sprotsbike build show!

Read in a mag that the people who did biker build off are going to do a sports bike build off show. I'll look it up tonight and post more.